The Guguan Shaolai Trail, situated in the Heping District of Taichung City, is named after a local tribal chief (“Shaolai”). The 1500-meter trail leads visitors directly to a viewing pavilion at the top.
Built along the mountain, the trail is a steep climb, and some parts are much steeper than others. Visitors are advised to consider their own physical condition before taking the trail.
Walking on the trail, hikers can enjoy the lush greenery and beautiful views of Guguan along the way. However, some parts of the trail are geologically weak and prone to crumbling.
Though reinforced with wire mesh, visitors are still advised to speed up when passing the area. There are two resting platforms along the way for visitors to rest and enjoy the views. The trail is open throughout the year, offering different scenes in varying season, with never-to-miss views such as cherry blossoms in early spring and color-changing maple leaves in autumn.
There is a viewing deck at the end of the trail for visitors to rest a while. The return trip is a steep descent and requires strong legs. Next to the viewing deck is another trail, which leads to the entrance of Mt. Pojinjia Trail.
It should be noted that as this trail is steeper and more difficult to hike on, it takes at least 7 hours for a round trip. The trail has two starting points, leading to Guguan Suspension Bridge and Shaolai Suspension Bridge, respectively, and visitors can see the spectacular Dajia River Valley from the bridges.
Guguan Suspension Bridge leads to Guguan Bridge, while the other end of Shaolai Suspension Bridge leads to Guguan Park, where there is a free foot spa for visitors to rest their tired legs.
Do remember to wash your feet clean before entering the foot spa. When the cuticle is softened after soaking for 10 minutes, visitors may then enter the doctor fish spa. Move slowly and gently so as not to scare away the fish.